Vaporizer

ABSTRACT

A vaporizer which includes a reservoir having bottom and sidewalls for storing a liquid, a support frame, an inner, flared liner centrally located within said reservoir, a conically-shaped disk supported by a frame such that the apex of said disk is positioned downwardly within said reservoir and within said liner, liquid level means operatively positioned within said reservoir to maintain a desired liquid level therein, drive means attached to said support frame and the disk for rotating said disk, a deflecting, impact baffle positioned outwardly from and about the upper perimeter of said cone-shaped disk. A top plate may be utilized to cover said cone-shaped disk, forming a hollow rotating unit. The cone-shaped disk may have an opening at the apex.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,801,016

Martin Apr. 2, 1974 VAPORIZER [76] Inventor: Robert T. Martin, 178 w.Third M King South, salt Lake City Utah 8410] Attorney, Agent, orFrrm-Trask & Br tt [22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl'198,770 A vaporizer which includes a reservoir having bottom RelatedApplication Data and sidewalls for storing a liquid, a support frame, an[63] continuationnmparr of s 3 449 Aug 3 inner, flared liner centrallylocated within said reser- 1970, abandoned voir, a comically-shaped disksupported by a frame such that the apex of said disk is positioned down-[52] US. Cl. 239/219 wardly within said reservoir and within said liner,liq- [5 1] Int. Cl. F236 11/04 uid'level means operatively positionedwithin said res- [58] Field of Search 239/219, 220, 221, 223, ervoir tomaintain a desired liquid level therein, drive 239/224 means attached tosaid support frame and the disk for rotating said disk, a deflecting,impact baffle posi- [56] References Cited tioned outwardly from andabout the upper perimeter UNI STATES PATENTS v of said cone-shaped disk.A. top plate may be utilized 2 537 833 1/1951 Joos 239/219 x to coversaid cone-shaped disk, forming a hollow ro- 3:l82:972 5/1965Ann;2511111IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 239 219 X tating unit- The cone-Shaped diskmay have an ing at the apex. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 991,7526/1951 France 239 221 15 Claims 7 Drawing Figures 4 1s fi IAIENIEUAPR21914 SHEEIIHFZ v FIG.

INVENTOR. Robert T MARTIN Afforney PAIENIEBAPR 2 mm SHEEIZOFZ' mINVENTOR.

5| 4 g Z 4 RoberfTMART/N iF/c; 7 J42,

AHorney VAPORIZER RELATED APPLICATION This application is acontinuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 63,449, filedAug. 13, I970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recent developments in the treatment ofstored crops such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,246 have resultedin the need for a vaporizer capable of entraining large quantities oftreating liquid into the atmosphere surrounding the stored crops.Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide avaporizing device particularly suited for this purpose. It is also anobject of this invention to provide an industrial type vaporizer whichis activated by control means sensitive to the quantity of treatingliquid entrained in the atmosphere of a storage enclosure for crops orthe like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An improved industrial vaporizer unit hasnow been invented. The vaporizer comprises: (a) a liquid reservoir,i.e., a container having a bottom member and continuous sidewalls,preferably circular, for holding a liquid to be vaporized; (b) aconically-shaped disk disposed with its apex in a downward direction,situated about centrally within said sidewalls of said reservoir; aflared liner, preferably substantially rigid, situated between said diskand the reservoir sidewalls, said liner approximating the shape of saiddisk, encircling same and extending farther down, said liner beingspaced apart from said conically shaped disk a slight distance,especially from the lower portions of said disk, such that a zone ofreduced pressure is created when said disk is rotated at high speed, forexample, above 1000 rpm, said liner preferably having perforations inits upper portion; (d) rotating means fastened to a fixed support forrotating said disk at high speeds, and (e) liquid lever means formaintaining a liquid level in said reservoir above the lower terminus ofsaid liner and below the perforations of said liner and preferably belowthe apex of said cone. A continuous, circular baffle encircling theupper perimeter of said conicallyshaped disk is preferably part of thevaporizer. The continuous baffle may be an integral part of the liner.The baffle is a continuous band having a substantially vertical surface,i.e., preferably inclined away from the disk at about 0 to 45 from thevertical. The baffle surface facing said disk is positioned at about thesame level as the upper perimeter of said disk at only a slight spacingtherefrom such that liquid droplets centrifugally propelled from theupper perimeter of said disk impact against said baffle.

Further description of the invention may be facilitated by reference tothe attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the vaporizer.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a conically-shaped disk.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view along section lines 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a liner.

FIG. 5' is a partial sectional view along section lines 5-S of FIG. 2 ofthe hub portion of the top plate.

FIG. 6 is a fragmented elevational view of the jointure of the liner andsupport stand leg.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional elevational view of a vaporizer having aninternal pump.

The vaporizer illustrated in the attached drawings is one preferredembodiment of the invention having a substantially cylindrical reservoir10 comprising a circular base 11, a substantially vertical continuoussidewall 12 with a continuous lip 13 flared outwardly from the upperperiphery of the sidewall, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

A three-legged stand 14 supported by legs 15, 16 and 17 support themotor housing 18 and, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, fixedly supportflared liner 19. Flared liner 19 may also be supported independently ofstand 14 by extending the base portion 20 of liner 19 to contact thebase 11 of reservoir 10. In this latter arrangement it is preferred thatthe continuous baffle 21 forming the upper portion of liner 19 contactlegs l5, l6 and 17 to stabilize liner l9 and preferably be held in placeby tabs 22 attached to each leg, as shown in FIG. 6, and slightlyoverlapping baffle 21.

The motor housing 18 supports and encloses motor 23 substantiallyprotecting it from water vapor and supporting it by flange 24. It ispreferred that the legs of stand 14 coact with liner 19 so that theshaft of motor 23 will be substantially centrally aligned therewith. Theshaft 25 of motor 23 is fixedly attached to upper plate 26 which, inturn, is fixedly attached at its periphery to conically-shpaed disk 27.The means of attaching shaft 25 to top plate 26 is more fully describedlater by reference to FIG. 5. The cQnically-shaped disk 27 is positionedpreferably concentrically with reference to liner 19 and with referenceto reservoir 10. Reservoir 10 has an open top, the vaporizer beingcovered only by the enclosed base of motor housing 18.

The conically-shaped disk 27 and the liner 19 are, preferably, similarlyshaped and the apex of disk 27 is preferably positioned near theconvergence of the walls of liner 19.

The water level is maintained within the reservoir by float 28 coupledto a valve on water inlet 29. Float 28 is preferably adjustable so thatthe water level may be raised or lowered. It is preferred generally tomaintain the water level near to but below the apex of disk 27. Watermay enter liner 19 through openings 30 in the base thereof. Openingsinto the liner below the water level may be either horizontal orvertical openings.

Liner 19 is preferably provided with large drain openings 31, 32, and 33in the flared sidewalls. One or more openings of this type is useful toallow water accumulating on the upper surface of the liner to drain intothe reservoir. Also, openings 31, 32 and 33 provide an overflow forwater sucked into liner 19 by the action of the rotating disk 27. It ispreferred that the disk not be contacted by a solid body of water sincethis causes a drag on the rotating disk, thereby reducing efficiency.Proper location of holes 31, 32 and 33 provides an overflow for a bodyof water drawn up into the interior of liner 19.

Air holes 34 may optionally be provided in the sidewall of liner 19.During the operation of the vaporizer, a water film may collect on theupper surface of liner l9. Passing air through this film causedadditional vaporization. Compressed air may be provided through pipemeans 35 to the interior of liner 19. In many installations a supply ofcompressed air is not available, however, the apparatus of the instantinvention is very effective without the utilization of compressed air.

The disk 27 is illustrated in FIG. 2 with an upper plate 26. The shapeof disk 27 may vary, for example, the included angle of the cone mayvary from an angle of about 45 to about 160 although an included angleof about 60 to about 120 is preferred. Also, the apex may be flat, asillustrated in the drawings, or it may be pointed, i.e., a true cone. Asmall opening may be provided at the apex of disk 27 although thevaporizer is extremely effective without such an opening. An opening atthe apex serves as a drain for liquid collecting in the disk.

The upper plate 26 and disk 27 are joined at the periphery. Short lips36 and 37 projecting slightly laterally from the disk 27 and upper plate26, respectfully, provide an effective area for attaching the parts toone another. Also lip 36 functions during operation of the vaporizer todirect a fine spray of liquid directly away from disk 27 and againstbaffle 21 (FIG. 3). It is preferred that lip 36 extend only a slightdistance from the sidewall of disk 27. The width of lip 36 extends onlya fraction of the radius of the base of disk, for example, a width ofless than about one inch is preferred.

A slight peripheral spacing is provided between upper plate 26 and disk27. This peripheral spacing allows the rotating unit (disk 27 and plate26) to be readily balanced by gluing small pieces of plastic into theperipheral opening at the appropriate places.

The rotating unit comprising disk 27 and upper plate 26 is rotated byshaft 25. The upper plate 26 is used to transmit the forces from shaft25 to disk 27. The upper plate 26 is a preferred means of transferringthe rotational forces of shaft 25 to disk 27 although otherconstructions can be utilized for this purpose. For example, a hub withspokes radiating therefrom may be utilized for this purpose. The hubwould attach to shaft 25 and the spokes would attach to the periphery ofdisk 27.

Upper plate 26 provides a rigid structure for transmitting therotational forces of shaft 25 to disk 27 as well as providing aneffective means for balancing the rotating unit by insertion of weightsin the peripheral space between the upper plate 26 and disk 27. Ribs 38radiating from hub 39 provide support and rigidity for upper plate 26.The forces transmitted from shaft 25 are concentrated in the hub area ofupper plate 26 and the rotating unit receives its greatest concentrationof stress in this area.

It was found that a preferred material of construction for upper plate26 and disk 27 is plastic materials because of their resistance tocorrosion, lightness of weight and ease of fabrication. However, it wasfurther found that threading shaft 25 into a plastic hub was notsatisfactory inasmuch as the plastic threads would not endure thestresses involved at the high rotational speeds of the rotating unit. InFIG. 5, a means of overcoming this difficulting is illustrated wherein apair of nuts are embedded in the plastic hub to receive the threaded endof shaft 25. The steel threads of the nuts 40 and 41 have sufficientstrength to endure the stresses present. If the rotating unit is to berotated clockwise as viewed from above the unit, then righthandedthreads are provided on shaft 25. If the unit is to be rotatedcounter-clockwise then left-handed threads are utilized.

The vaporizer of this invention is operated by rotating the disk 27 athigh rotating rotational speeds, for example, generally from about 2,000to 10,000 rpms, or more, to create a vortex immediately below the apexof disk 27 thereby drawing liquid within liner 19 up to the apex andcausing the liquid to progress, probably as a thin film, along the outerwall of disk 27 until it reaches the flat lip 36 whereupon it iscentrifugally propelled against baffle 21 to be dispersed into minutedroplets which are entrained by the surrounding atmosphere. Liner 19serves as an inner container to provide liquid near the apex of disk 27.It also serves to collect liquid falling within the vaporizer andreturning the same to the reservoir. Also, liner l9 possesses holes 31,32 and 33 which act as an overflow in the event an excess of water isdrawn up into liner 19. The liner 19 also contains fine holes 34 throughwhich compressed air may be directed to vaporize any water flowing downthe interior walls of liner 19.

The vaporizer illustrated in FIG. 3 may be advantageously used, as maythe vaporizer illustrated in FIG. 7, to disperse fungicides,bactericides, insecticides and various other agents, which may be addedin liquid form, through conduit 42. The flow rate of such material maybe controlled by a valve 43, for example, a needle valve. Materialswhich are not soluble in water (the preferred liquid for vaporization)may be dissolved in another liquid before introduction to reservoir 10.Although, it is preferred that the liquid being introduced throughconduit 43 be miscible with the liquid in the reservoir it is notessential since all liquids in the reservoir will be vaporized.

The vaporizer illustrated in FIG. 7 is a preferred device forinstallations not having a source of tap water readily available. Suchan installation includes food storage areas, for example, large potatostorage cellars wherein it is desirable to maintain an atmosphere ofhigh relative humidity.

The vaporizer of FIG. 7 comprises a reservoir 44 in which a liquid levelfloat 45 controls the liquid level in reservoir 44 by actuation of valve46 through which water, or other liquid flows through pipe 47 from headtank 48. Liner 49 forms an inner reservoir inasmuch as no openings areprovided in the lower portion of lines to permit ingress of water fromreservoir 44. Water is provided to the lower portion of liner 49, whichwill be referred to as the bucket portion, through tubing 50 from sumppump 51. A sump is formed in reservoir 44 by the annular depression 52in the bottom of reservoir 44 near the junction of the reservoir baseand sidewall.

The rate of flow of water to the bucket portion of liner 49 can becontrolled by valve 53, which is preferably a metering valve such as aneedle valve. Controlling the water flow rate to inner reservoir withinthe bucket portion of liner 49 controls the amount of vaporizationoccurring during a given period. Vaporization rates of from about 1gal/hr. to about 40 gals/hr. are readily available with a vaporizerhaving a 16 in. diameter cone having an apex angle of about rotating atabout 3500 rpm.

The conically-shaped disk, motor, motor housing and the tripol supportmay be identical with the device illustrated in FIG. 3. The liner 49differs from the liner illustrated in FIG. 4 in having no openings inthe lower (bucket) portion, other than an opening to admit tubing 50.The liner 49 also joins the vertical, cylindrical sidewall 54 ofreservoir 44 intermediate the upper and lower edges of sidewall 54. Anupper band of vertical sidewall 54 serves as an impact baffle fordroplets of water propelled from the rotating disk. The liner 49 may berigidly affixed to sidewall 54 and have slots cut at 120 on theperiphery to admit the legs of the tripod support, similar to slots 19a,19b, and 190 of FIG. 4.

The inclusion of pump 52 in the vaporizer provides a source of water ata constant head, which is desirable for metering purposes. Also, thehead of a pump is significantly greater than the head from a head tank,which is often portable, and frequently only a few feet above thevaporizer. The constant, high pressure head provided by sump pump 54permits accurate control of the vaporization rate by regulation of valve53. A constant high pressure head permits a constant vaporization rateto be maintained at a given valve setting (valve 54) regardless of thevariation of head at valve 46, which may vary 100% during the employingof head tank 48. g

A sump pump maybe unnecessary to supply a regulatable supply of water tobe vaporized if a supply of tap water having a substantially constanthead is available.

The vaporizer of this invention is especially advantageous inasmuch asthe units are readily assembled and disassembled and are uncomplicatedin design and operation. The reservoir is separate from the rotatingunit and from the liner. A three-legged stand supports the motor, themotor housing and the rotating unit. The liner may be attached to thethree legs of the stand or to the reservoir sidewall. Three legs areprovided inasmuch as it is easier to form a stable platform than if morethan three legs are utilized. The top of the unit is open except for thebase of the motor housing. The motor housing preferably encloses themotor in a sufficiently enclosed unit to prevent moisture fromcollecting within the motor housing. The vaporizer is characterized bysimplicity of operation inasmuch as only a source of electrical currentis required to achieve particularly efficient vaporization of liquids.

The water level of the reservoir is maintained by float 28 connected toa valve on water inlet 29. The water level is maintained sufficientlyhigh that liquid is within the interior of liner 19 ifa liner havingbottom openings is utilized, or if a sump pump is used, the water levelis maintained sufficiently high to cover the sump.

During the operation of the vaporizer liquid progresses along theexterior of disk 27 until it is centrifugally propelled against baffle21. The impact of the moisture droplets with baffle 21 causes them todisintegrate and form very minute particles of liquid, for example, assmall as about 2 to 9 microns. It is preferred, therefore, that baffle21 be located within about onehalf inch to about three inches of theperiphery of disk 27, for example, the periphery of lip 36. The surfacetension of the liquid travelling along the rotating disk and along theliner is apparently reduced by the action of the vaporizer.

The reduction of surface tension can also be accomplished by theaddition of a surfactant, for example, through inlet 42, to thereservoir or through the use of demineralized water.

Although the unit is effective regardless of its size, a preferred sizecomprises a vaporizer having a disk 27 which has a diameter at its baseof about twelve to about twenty-four inches. For example, an extremelyeffective disk is one having a diameter of about sixteen inches and aheight of about six inches from its apex to its base.

The vaporizersof this invention are very efficient, i.e., substantiallyall the water provided to the unit is vaporized and entrained in thesurrounding atmosphere with very little fall out around the unit. Evenwithout an externally circulating air supply the vaporizer readilypropells a dense cloud of vapor to a radius of seven feet around thevaporizer.

The conical upper plate 26 shown in FIG. 2 assists in propelling vaporfrom the vaporizer. The rapidly rotating upper plate creates a downdraft towards the plate which is forced radially by the rapidly rotatingupper plate. The open top of the vaporizer permits a ready supply of airto the rotating upper plate.

Although a great deal of air turbulence is created by the Vaporizers ofthis invention, very little turbulence is created in the liquidreservoir. The liner, even with openings near the bottom thereof, tendsto act as a stabilizer, allowing only slight disturbance to the liquidsurface in the reservoir, thereby enabling the float valves to operateeffectively.

Although the invention has been described hereinabove by reference tonumerous embodiments, it is not to be limited solely thereto, but shallinclude all the variations and modifications falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vaporizer which comprises:

a. reservoir means at the bottom thereof having sidewalls and a base;

b. a support frame;

c. a conically-shaped disk rotatably mounted on said support frame suchthat the apex of said disk is positioned downwardly;

d. a deflecting, circular continuous baffle positioned apart from andabout the upper peripheral edge of said disk;

e. liquid level control means for maintaining the liquid level at apredetermined level below said disk apex in said reservoir;

f. power means supported by said support frame rotating saidconically-shaped disk;

g. shaft means coupling said power means to said disk; and

h. an inner liner which encircles said disk, said liner extendingfarther down into said reservoir than said disk and having liquidentrance openings near the base thereof.

2. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the continuous circular baffle is anintegral part of said liner.

3. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the conically shaped disk has acontinuous circular lip projecting laterally from the upper peripheraledge thereof.

4. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the support stand is a tripod havinglegs supported on said reservoir base and having said liner fixedlyattached thereto.

5. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said conicallyshaped disk isattached to said shaft means by an upper circular plate fixed at theperiphery thereof to the upper peripheral edge of said disk, said shaftattached to said upper plate at the center thereof.

6. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said conicallyshaped disk has anincluded angle of about 60 to about at the apex thereof.

7. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said liner has liquid overflowopenings in the sidewalls thereof.

8. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said'liner approximates the shape ofsaid conically-shaped disk and exfor tends farther downwardly than saiddisk, the upper portion thereof forming a continuous baffle encirclingsaid lip of said disk.

9. The vaporizer of claim wherein the upper circular plate has acentrally located hub having threaded metal nuts embedded therein forattachment to said shaft means.

10. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein liquid inlet means is provided insaid reservoir for introduction of liquid additives.

11. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein an inner liner encircles said diskto form a inner reservoir and apart from and about the upper peripheraledge of said disk;

e. liquid level control means for maintaining the liquid level at apredetermined level below said disk apex in said reservoir;

f. power means supported by said support frame for rotating saidconically-shaped disk;

g. shaft means coupling said power means to said disk; and

h. an inner liner which approximates the shape of said conically shapeddisk and encircling said disk, said liner extending farther down intosaid reservoir than said disk, said liner being sized and positionedwith respect to the lower portions of said disk so that a zone ofreduced pressure is created near said lower portions of said disk whensaid disk is rotated at speeds above about 1000 revolutions per minute.

14. The vaporizer of claim 13 wherein said liquid level control meansmaintains the liquid level at a predetermined level below said disk apexin said reservoir.

15. The vaporizer of claim 13 wherein said continuous baffle is anintegral part of the upper portion of said

1. A vaporizer which comprises: a. reservoir means at the bottom thereofhaving sidewalls and a base; b. a suppoRt frame; c. a conically-shapeddisk rotatably mounted on said support frame such that the apex of saiddisk is positioned downwardly; d. a deflecting, circular continuousbaffle positioned apart from and about the upper peripheral edge of saiddisk; e. liquid level control means for maintaining the liquid level ata predetermined level below said disk apex in said reservoir; f. powermeans supported by said support frame for rotating said conically-shapeddisk; g. shaft means coupling said power means to said disk; and h. aninner liner which encircles said disk, said liner extending farther downinto said reservoir than said disk and having liquid entrance openingsnear the base thereof.
 2. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein thecontinuous circular baffle is an integral part of said liner.
 3. Thevaporizer of claim 1 wherein the conically shaped disk has a continuouscircular lip projecting laterally from the upper peripheral edgethereof.
 4. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the support stand is atripod having legs supported on said reservoir base and having saidliner fixedly attached thereto.
 5. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein saidconically-shaped disk is attached to said shaft means by an uppercircular plate fixed at the periphery thereof to the upper peripheraledge of said disk, said shaft attached to said upper plate at the centerthereof.
 6. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said conically-shaped diskhas an included angle of about 60* to about 120* at the apex thereof. 7.The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said liner has liquid overflow openingsin the sidewalls thereof.
 8. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said linerapproximates the shape of said conically-shaped disk and extends fartherdownwardly than said disk, the upper portion thereof forming acontinuous baffle encircling said lip of said disk.
 9. The vaporizer ofclaim 5 wherein the upper circular plate has a centrally located hubhaving threaded metal nuts embedded therein for attachment to said shaftmeans.
 10. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein liquid inlet means isprovided in said reservoir for introduction of liquid additives.
 11. Thevaporizer of claim 1 wherein an inner liner encircles siad disk to forman inner reservoir and wherein sump pump means provides liquid from thereservoir at the bottom of the vaporizer to said inner reservoir. 12.The vaporizer of claim 11 wherein a metering valve controls the liquidflow between said sump pump and said inner reservoir.
 13. A vaporizerwhich comprises: a. a reservoir means at the bottom thereof havingsidewalls and a base; b. a support frame; c. a conically-shaped diskrotatably mounted on said support frame such that the apex of said diskis positioned downwardly; d. a deflecting, circular continuous bafflepositioned apart from and about the upper peripheral edge of said disk;e. liquid level control means for maintaining the liquid level at apredetermined level below said disk apex in said reservoir; f. powermeans supported by said support frame for rotating said conically-shapeddisk; g. shaft means coupling said power means to said disk; and h. aninner liner which approximates the shape of said conically shaped diskand encircling said disk, said liner extending farther down into saidreservoir than said disk, said liner being sized and positioned withrespect to the lower portions of said disk so that a zone of reducedpressure is created near said lower portions of said disk when said diskis rotated at speeds above about 1000 revolutions per minute.
 14. Thevaporizer of claim 13 wherein said liquid level control means maintainsthe liquid level at a predetermined level below said disk apex in saidreservoir.
 15. The vaporizer of claim 13 wherein said continuous baffleis an integral part of the upper portion of said liner.